Beckgroud Information

Background Information


Bees

  • Natural pollinator

  • Increase fruit size, yield, quality

  • Various habitats

Pesticides

Protect the growth of strawberries *

Fungicide: prevent fungal disease *

insecticide: control insects *

Our Question






What’s the change of bee-harmed pesticides

usage across states and why?

Overview of the Data

Citation: https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/strawberries

Overview of the Data

Overview of the Data

Overview of the Data

Overview of the Data

EDA: Type vs Value

EDA: Type vs Value

EDA: BeeToxin vs Value

EDA: BeeToxin vs Value

Shiny Application

https://jacobchen.shinyapps.io/BEEProjecy/

Results

  • Reduction of usage in 2018, but bounced back in 2019

  • More varieties of pesticides used over three years

    • Same pattern as amount of pesticides

    • More high bee-toxin pesticides were used

  • Florida surpassed California in the usage of pesticides

Discussion


  • Pesticides lead to distinction of 41% insects in next few decades

    • Neonics: far-reaching effects on bees, birds, etc.

    • Build-up effects on environment: underground water, soil

  • High bee-toxicity pesticides should be limited

    • EU expanded ban on three types of bee-harmful pesticides in 2018

    • US banned 12 pesticides in 2019; followed by a total ban in 2020 by EPA

      • 2019, California banned pesticides that harm children growth

      • Florida pesticides companies challenged bans

Discussion…

  • Modest solutions by EPA (Environment Protection Agency)

    • Limit the time window for use of pesticides

    • Integrated Pest Management plan: cultural, mechanical, and biological pest controls

    • Leave a buffer area between treated areas and areas where wildlife may be present

    • Take care when planting treated seeds to prevent dust that could affect bees

Citation: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles






Any Question?